Trump’s Remarks on Lesotho Spark International Backlash
Former U.S. President’s Comments on Foreign Aid to Lesotho Draw Criticism from Government, Public, and Global Leaders.
Watan-In a move that sparked widespread anger, former U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, March 4, justified the significant cuts in foreign aid provided by the United States during his speech to the U.S. Congress.
While speaking, Trump cited Lesotho as an example, describing it as a “country no one has ever heard of” and claiming that the country receives “8 million dollars to promote transgender issues.”
These comments, made in the context of justifying new financial policies, sparked outrage in Lesotho, where they were seen as insulting and offensive both at the popular and official levels.
Lesotho Government Responds
The Lesotho government expressed “shock” at Trump’s remarks, stating that such statements reflect a profound ignorance of the country’s economic, social, and political realities.
A government official told Radio France Internationale that Trump’s remarks were “offensive and irresponsible,” stressing that Lesotho “is not a country dependent on charity, but seeks to build fair partnerships based on mutual respect.”
The spokesperson added that relations between Lesotho and the U.S. are built on strong diplomatic foundations and that Trump’s comments “represent only an individual opinion and are not binding on the current U.S. government.”
He also pointed out that the United States has remained a strategic partner in areas such as health, education, and development, and that “U.S. aid has always been appreciated, but it has never been a source of humiliation as some might try to portray it.”
Public Protests
The anger was not limited to the government but also extended to the streets, where hundreds of citizens in the capital, Maseru, protested Trump’s remarks.
According to local sources, the protests saw widespread participation from various groups, with people holding signs calling for Washington to “respect Lesotho’s sovereignty and stop treating it with a hegemonic mindset.”
A solidarity campaign with Lesotho also spread across social media, with users from around the world expressing their support for the country in the face of what they described as “American arrogance.”
Anger in Congress
Domestically, Trump’s remarks caused widespread discontent within political circles in the U.S., with a report from CNN noting that many members of Congress, including both Republicans and Democrats, strongly criticized his statements.
One Republican senator described Trump’s comments as “irresponsible and potentially harmful to U.S.-Africa relations,” noting that the aid given to Lesotho is not just “useless charity” but part of a U.S. strategy to support stability and development in Africa.
The senator added that such remarks could negatively affect the U.S.’s image internationally, especially as it seeks to increase its influence in Africa in the face of economic and political expansion from countries like China and Russia.
International Criticism
Beyond U.S. reactions, Trump’s comments faced widespread condemnation internationally. The Guardian reported that many human rights and international organizations criticized what they called “incendiary rhetoric,” warning that such remarks could fuel discrimination and violence against vulnerable groups in Lesotho.
The African Union also expressed concern over the potential ramifications of these remarks, stating that such positions could erode trust in U.S.-Africa partnerships, opening the door for other powers to expand their influence on the continent.
Will the Remarks Impact U.S.-Africa Relations?
Despite the wide controversy, some analysts believe that relations between the U.S. and Lesotho will not be fundamentally affected, particularly as the current U.S. administration has not issued any official stance supporting Trump’s comments.
However, observers note that these remarks could prompt the U.S. administration to take steps to contain the crisis, such as reaffirming its commitment to supporting Lesotho and offering assurances that U.S. policies towards Africa will not be affected by the individual views of certain political figures.
Given the previous tensions Trump generated during his presidency, especially regarding his relations with African countries, this new controversy could serve as a reminder to African capitals about the need to diversify their partnerships and not rely exclusively on Washington, especially in light of the growing international competition for influence on the continent.
